BOLTON Chamber Orchestra celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The orchestra was formed by a nucleus of teachers Bolton School teachers, but now includes players from many walks of life. But the orchestra has gone back to rehearsing at Bolton School. The musicians are under the baton of 29-year-old David Vernon who comes from the Isle of Man, but now lives at Heaton.

David studied violin and viola at the Royan Northern College of music where he won the Thomas Barrett prize for viola.

Since 1993 he has been teaching at Chethams School of Music.

He played a viola solo with the orchestra about 18 months ago and then started conducting with them and has recently been on a conducting course.

He is trying to introduce some younger players to the orchestra which currently has about 35 players. David paid tribute to the orchestra's secretary Roger Whitehouse who has helped to steer it into its 35th year.

The orchestra has given at least three concerts a year since 1961.

The orchestra is sponsored this season by Intrim Valet Services of Halliwell Road, Bolton.

David enjoys conducting and said: "I think it is important to be faithful to what the composers intended."

He believes the orchestra has an interesting and challenging year ahead.

There will be a concert on November 30 at St Paul's Church, Deansgate when Prokofiev'sZPeter and the WolfZwill be played and Rachmaninov'sZPiano Concerton Number 2.ZThe soloist is pianist Cherry Vann.

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